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Archive | October 2014

There’s a Carrie White in every high school. A girl born into the wrong class. The butt of everyone’s joke’s. The scapegoat to everyone’s problems. Poor Carrie White. She never had a chance.

To get your first period at 17, showering after gym, has got to be the worst. Having an overly religious mother who borders on the brink of insanity? Carrie White had the recipe for disaster.

But Carrie White was special. As she is welcomed into womanhood, so are her truth powers freed. Carrie White just wanted to be left alone, to live her life with her mother. What started as a gesture to counterbalance the guilt from fellow high school student, Sue Snell, turns into a night of terror their little town has never seen. Who is to blame? Carrie White? Or her tormentors?

A tight engaging tale told from Carrie’s point of view and epistolary format, this is a perfect quick Halloween read. There’s a lot of background to Carrie, and I must say I loved the ending a lot more than the movie version. Yes, it’s a bit dated, but this story is simple and pure at the same time. Even though everyone knows how it ends, you’ll race to see just what kind of destruction Carrie wrecks, and dare I say it? Cheer her on. (Maybe not the whole time, but certainly for two teens that deserved to be reckoned with Carrie.)

I love King’s first published novel. I wish I had read it earlier. He writes women so well, and although it reeks of the 70s, the story is still timeless. Most girls look forward to their senior prom. Pray yours never ends up like Carrie White’s.

I know The Broke and the Bookish’s Top Ten lists are on Tuesday, but I do my posts on Wednesday, so I’m mixing it up! I love this list! I love Halloween! It’s almost here! Here are my top ten spooky books to get into the thrilling spirit of All Hallow’s Eve!

1. The Shining by Stephen King

I want to start with an epic classic. However, I personally feel that The Shining the book is VERY different, almost completely from the movie. They’re kind of like Harry Potter, both mediums should be experienced separately. I love both of them in different ways. The frightening psychological suspense is fantastic.

2. It by Stephen King

Read this when I was in 7th grade. I’m also afraid of spiders. Perfect for bringing back all your childhood fears to relive them now that you’re an adult.

3. Hell House by Alison Rattle and Allison Vale

This short story collection has creepy tales from all over the world! I love it! Balancing different cultures with a perfect blend of truth, this book is not to be missed if you can find it.

4. Carrie by Stephen King

Yes, I have a strong affection for King. I just recently finished Carrie and it is so much better than the movie! It’s like the Titanic, you know how it ends but you keep turning the pages hoping it might be different.

5. The Greywalker novels by Kat Richardson

Yay my city! Spooky Seattle! What’s not to love? Richardson’s research and ability to blend local history and folklore is standout! I’m so sad she’s ending the series next year, but it’s been a great run!

6. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

A frighting combination of prose and real photos, Riggs is brilliant at making Wales come alive in a paranormal way. Full of mystery with a hero you pull for each page, this debut is essential for October.

7. Goosebumps by R. L. Stine

Self explanatory. I wish these were just as scary as when I first read them.

8. The Legend of Spookiley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano

For personal reasons. A fantastic picture book that has a great moral that’s perfect for Halloween!

9. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Flynn’s debut that is harsh, dark and looming, it’s my favorite of her books! For a traditional mystery, this book has an ending that is horrific and spine tingling!

10. Doll Bones by Holly Black

This is the only book I haven’t read on the list, but I’ve heard really good things and this cover alone makes it a must read for this month. I hope to read it eventually, but for now I’ll enjoy the beautifully spooky cover!

What are your favorite reads during October? Any special books that scream Halloween??

Like this:

If you’re looking for a shocking, in your face retelling of The Wizard of Oz, look no further than Dorothy Must Die. There is a reason this book has been trolling through social media. Yes. It is that good!

Alternative Amy Gumm is struggling to get through high school, but she’s used to that. With a druggie mother, Amy’s used to taking care of herself. That is, until the storm arrives. Amy is whisked away to the merry old land of Oz. Except, life here isn’t so merry anymore. The citizens are suffering, a war is brewing and magic is being sucked out of the land. Who could would do such a thing to this amazing place?

Dorothy. And she must die.

Forget all you once knew about Oz. Amy definitely isn’t in Kansas anymore, but she’s not in the Oz she remembers either. With stark wit and a blend of political violence that’s wrapped up in a magical red bow, Dorothy Must Die will change the way you recall the Emerald City. It will still make you reach for the book again and again, wondering what is going to happen next. This debut in the series sets the world, characters and goal beautifully. You’ll see the glittering bricks, smell the toxic poppies and will be blinded by what Dorothy has become. Which side will you take? Are you with Dorothy or against her? For Amy, it’s clear where she belongs, and she’s not afraid of Dorothy.

Many thanks to HarperCollins for providing me this book in exchange for a honest review.

Like this:

Fresh off the boat and trying to acclimate to Australian life, Cassie has found herself in quite the predicament: the only girl that has befriended her, Aisha, has disappeared. Now she’s on the hunt with Aisha’s boyfriend and best friend Lacey. Let’s put it out there that Cassie has a major crush on Aisha’s boyfriend. Out in the bush, they stumble upon a decrepit old house. Curiosity gets the better of the teens and before they know it, they’ve found a spoken carousel that leads them to an underground hell run by a dollhouse keeper.

Yes, it is just as it sounds, and the story keeps getting creepier. Once they’ve entered this dollhouse, they can’t leave. As Cassie tries to solve the mystery of how this porcelain prison came to be, the deeper their fates are stuck into this timeless terror. Round and round like a carousel. Can Cassie find Aisha and a way for them to escape?

I loved the dark and ominous feeling of this book. Allyn knows how create suspense. For most of the story I was wondering just what was going on. There is so much bizarre and strange occurrences, but they’re painted beautifully, with a language that keep you guessing. Information is giving at leisure. I loved that. It kept me engaged. My only criticism is that pacing was a bit slow. I know it may have helped with the overall feeling of the tale, but I just wish things had moved a tiny bit faster. For such an explosive ending, I feel there could have been better use of some aspects of the story to keep it at a swifter pace. Nevertheless, this book has stuck with me. I want to know what happens next. I am excited to read more from Allyn! Many thanks to Paper Lantern Press for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Do a spooky exchange with your best friends or maybe co-workers. Long lasting, and zero calories, your dentist will thank you for partaking in reading instead of indulging with Halloween sweets! Every year I love the art they do for this awesome event. Look at how gorgeous that picture is! Doesn’t it make you just want to curl up with something scary? What’s your horror story to read during October? I always run to Stephen King. The Shining is personal favorite of mine. Happy spooky reading!